Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,144
This is a tough call. Chelios, Stevens and even MacInnis are three guys who are very similar in the way of career value.
At the end of the day you'd have to lean on the side of Chelios. He's the only one out of the three who once in a while is a top 10 defenseman on some lists.
Stevens scared the beezwax out of you. I know someone said Chelios had more intensity but I disagree. Stevens in my mind clearly did and that isn't a knock on Chelios either. As for the playoff career I give Stevens the edge over Chelios. The impact that man had on the opposition was peerless at the time. While he did get 11 points in the 2000 playoffs, I conclude that had he scored 5 points he'd still have won the Conn Smythe.
Chelios is close to that level in the postseason too. In fact all around season by season, game by game I would take Chelios. He seemed to control the pace of the game a bit more. He had the better offensive instincts and we all know Chelios was a mean nasty SOB as well. He'd bowl over his mother to win also.
Out of the three Cups each player won, there is little doubt in my mind Stevens was more central to those Devils championships than Chelios to his three. But the Norrises, the all-stars and the insane longevity (although Stevens was pretty good there too) are too enticing to pass up. Chelios by a bit.
At the end of the day you'd have to lean on the side of Chelios. He's the only one out of the three who once in a while is a top 10 defenseman on some lists.
Stevens scared the beezwax out of you. I know someone said Chelios had more intensity but I disagree. Stevens in my mind clearly did and that isn't a knock on Chelios either. As for the playoff career I give Stevens the edge over Chelios. The impact that man had on the opposition was peerless at the time. While he did get 11 points in the 2000 playoffs, I conclude that had he scored 5 points he'd still have won the Conn Smythe.
Chelios is close to that level in the postseason too. In fact all around season by season, game by game I would take Chelios. He seemed to control the pace of the game a bit more. He had the better offensive instincts and we all know Chelios was a mean nasty SOB as well. He'd bowl over his mother to win also.
Out of the three Cups each player won, there is little doubt in my mind Stevens was more central to those Devils championships than Chelios to his three. But the Norrises, the all-stars and the insane longevity (although Stevens was pretty good there too) are too enticing to pass up. Chelios by a bit.